How you can support Harcourt

Set at the foot of Mt Alexander, the welcoming town of Harcourt is famous for apples and cider, but it’s also home to wineries, mountain bike trails, hiking, and incredible food – all of which have been affected by the fires. It is also home to the Harcourt Cooperative Cool Stores – a hub for beer, wine, spirits, and produce, which was sadly destroyed by the fires, resulting in huge losses for local businesses and producers right across the Central Victoria.

We have been touched by the outpouring of support for the local community and for Victorian towns affected by the recent fires. If you would like to donate or offer your support, big or small, the best ways to help are outlined below.

We’ll share updates when Harcourt is safe to visit again but surrounding towns like Castlemaine and Maldon are open for business. Many businesses that have experienced produce or stock loss are still trading and would warmly welcome your patronage and visitation; we have pulled together a list of these businesses – we know they would love to see you back in the region.

Harcourt Progress Relief Fund

One of the best ways to support the people of Harcourt is by donating directly to the Harcourt Progress Relief Fund – managed by the Harcourt Progress Association, a long-standing local community organisation that supports the wellbeing, development, and resilience of Harcourt. All funds raised through this campaign will be administered by the Harcourt Progress Association and directed back into the Harcourt community to support individuals and families affected by the bushfires.

Donate to the GoFundMe here.

FRRR Disaster Recovery Appeal

FRRR (the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) is the only national foundation specifically focussed on ensuring the social and economic strength of Australia’s remote, very remote and rural communities. Through FRRR, your generosity is transformed into grants for local grassroots organisations to lead projects that restore connection, rebuild infrastructure and strengthen resilience and disaster preparedness.

You can select to contribution toward their 2026 Victorian Bushfire Recovery Appeal.

Bress Wines, Harcourt

Famous for their minimal-intervention winemaking Bress Wines are a Harcourt favourite. Their vineyard and cellar door luckily escaped major damage, however they lost a significant amount of stock in the Harcourt Cool Store. They do have other stock available, and you can support them by ordering wine directly from their website.

Shedshaker Brewing, Castlemaine

This popular brewery, tap room and live music venue is located within The Mill precinct in Castlemaine. They also lost considerable stock in the Cool Store fire. Support Shedshaker by popping in for a visit, where you can sip on their locally brewed beers or a local wine (including many that were affected by the fires). And keep an eye on their website for upcoming events, designed to support those affected by the fires.

Hesket Estate, Macedon Ranges

Based a stone’s through from Hanging Rock, this family fun winery lost a significant amount of stock, held at the Cool Stores. Support them by visiting their cellar door, which is open every weekend. This coming weekend they are hosting an Asian-inspired long lunch, with food from Gisborne-based The Flying Pigeon. This event is part of the Macedon Ranges Summertime Fling Festival. If you can’t get here in person, you can also support them by ordering wine online.

Joshua Cooper Wines, Macedon Ranges

Based in the Macedon Ranges, this is another winery that suffered a significant loss of stock held at the Cool Store. Keep an eye out for Joshua Cooper Wines at fine diners around Australia, or you purchase directly from their online store.

Passing Clouds Winery, Daylesford

Another winery that lost a significant amount of wine held at the Cool Store. Support them by popping into their cellar door in Musk (just outside Daylesford) where you can enjoy a wine tasting at their cellar door or settle in for a generous three-course shared lunch. Alternatively, consider joining their wine club or order wine from their online store.

Other Harcourt tourism businesses

Many other tourism businesses either suffered fire damage or have been forced to close their doors during the busy summer period as it’s not safe to visit the area. These include the Victorian Miniature Railway (which only launched in December 2025), the Harcourt Produce & General Store, Woop Woop Sculpture Garden, Campo Verde Alpacas & Llamas and many more. We’ll keep you up to date when they are back open for business, in the meantime, keep an eye on their social channels to see how you can support them during this difficult time.

Download the Visitor App

If you are visiting the region, see what’s open and keep an eye on their social channels to see how you can support them during this difficult time. A great way to do this is to download the new Heartland’s Visitor App. Business details are all listed in here. You can download the app by clicking on the following links for APPLE or GOOGLE PLAY.